MH17 investigation says jet was shot down by Russian missile

In what may spell fresh trouble for Russia, the investigation into the crash of Malaysia Airlines jet MH17 has found pro-Russian rebels responsible for shooting the plane down a year ago, the CNN says.

The revelation comes just a day before the world will mark the first anniversary of the plane tragedy during which 298 people were killed when it was shot down over Ukraine war zone on July 17, 2014.

Citing a source that has seen the Dutch investigators’ report into MH17 shoot-down, the CNN reported that the probe has found out that the plane was shot down by a Buk missile — a Russian surface-to-air missile.

The investigative report authored by the Dutch Safety Board, has not yet been released officially.

The report just confirms what Ukraine had said in the immediate aftermath of the plane crash.

Ukraine`s security service had also provided to US the alleged intercepted phone conversations of pro-Russian rebels discussing how they shot down Malaysian airliner MH17, which were confirmed as genuine by the US embassy in Kiev.

The Malaysia Airlines Boeing-777 flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over eastern Ukraine`s war zone on July 17, 2014.

It was said to have deviated from its normal flight path to avoid thunderstorms, a top aviation official from the European Cockpit Association had said.

In the aftermath of the plane tragedy, pro-Russian rebels had made it difficult for international observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to monitor the crash site.

There were also reports of the rebels having dragged the dead bodies away and also looted them.
(PTI)